Stephen S. Van Den Eynde

Fr. Stephen was the last surviving Belgian missionary in Hawaii, having arrived on the Island in 1950, just two years after his ordination in 1948. His death brings a historic missionary chapter to a close, following the arrival of hundreds of Begian brothers who brought the "good news" to the people of the Hawaiian Islands. Fr. Juliaan Vandekerkhove has been informed of Fr. Stephen's passing and has notified his family in Belgiam. As Provincial of Belgium, Fr. Juliaan extended his sincere sympathies to the US Province and also his deepest thanks to the brothers and sisters in Hawaii who have so warmly received the missionaries throughout the years.

Fr. Stephen was born Etienne Van Den Eynde, in Baal, Belgium, part of the village of Tremelo, the birthplace of St. Damien. He made his first profession to the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts on September 13, 1943 and following his arrival in 1950, served his entire religious life in Hawaii as Assistant in various parishes throughout the islands, and as Pastor at Maria Lanakila in Lahaina from 1968 through 1979 and Pastor at St. Michael, Waialua from 1988 through 1991. He retired to St. Patrick Monastery in 1991. A funeral Mass will be held for Fr. Stephen on...

Visitation 5:30 to 7:00 pm, Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012 at St. Patrick Church; Mass 7:00 pm. Burial 9:00 am Friday (Feb. 24) at Valley of the Temples Memorial Park.

Arrangements under the direction of Borthwick Mortuary, Honolulu, HI.